Reusable mailing envelope with tear-strip opening device

ABSTRACT

A reusable envelope has a front address panel and a rear panel joined along three edges to form a pocket with an open top. A first extended sealing flap joined to the top edge of the address panel is provided with a tear strip formed by a line of perforations extending across the top edge of the envelope and through the flap. A second sealing flap is provided which is foldably connected to the top edge of the rear panel and is initially either folded and retained inside the envelope pocket or against the exterior of the rear panel for the first mailing, and is folded over and onto the first panel for the second use. The second flap has an adhesive area securing means for sealing the envelope when the flap is positioned on the address panel for a further mailing. The address panel is provided with an area for postage indicia and, is optionally provided with a first return address area adjacent the top edge of the address panel. The address panel optionally includes a second return address area located adjacent the bottom edge of the address panel and another area for applying postage. The second sealing flap is sized to cover at least the first return address area and first postage area and, optionally, the first address area, when the second sealing flap is folded over and sealed to the address panel, and can also be pre-printed by the originator with return address and bulk mailing indicia. A single-use easy-open envelope-employing the tear strip is also described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a rem envelope adapted to beused after it's first enclosure, such as a payment or the like, to theoriginal sender.

[0002] Remailable envelopes are well known in the art and numerouspatents describe many different variations of remailable envelopes. Someexamples of patents showing this type of envelope include U.S. Pat. No.4,730,768 to Gendron; U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,810 to Kim; and U.S. Pat. No.5,875,964 to Pham.

[0003] It has been found that the remailable envelopes of the prior arthave not received widespread commercial acceptance by manufacturers orapproval by recipients who are obliged to use them.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide areusable envelope that can be quickly and easily opened and provides areturn envelope that is easy for the recipient to use.

[0005] It is also an object of the invention to provide a reusableenvelope that is relatively simple in construction as compared to thoseof the prior art, that is inexpensive to manufacture on existingproduction machines, and that can be used both in the manufacture ofdirect mail articles in which the preprinted enclosures are placed inthe envelope pocket during the formation of the envelope, and also toproduce finished envelopes into which the enclosures are placedsubsequently by the original user.

[0006] It is a further purpose of the invention to provide aneasy-opening envelope that permits rapid access to the contents of theenvelope pocket without the possibility of damaging the enclosures.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The improved envelope of the present invention includes anaddress or front panel and a rear panel that are joined along theperiphery of three edges to form an envelope pocket with an open top forreceiving enclosures. A first sealing flap is formed as part of anextended flap panel that is joined to the top edge of the front addresspanel along a first weakened parting line, e.g., a line of perforations.The extended flap panel is folded along a transverse flap fold line thatis parallel to, and spaced apart from the top edge of the address paneland is provided with a second weakened parting line, i.e., a line ofperforations that is aligned with the first line of perforations whenthe flap panel is folded to a superposed position over the rear panel.The upper portion of the envelope between the flap fold line and theoverlying perforation lines defines a tear strip. The flap fold line isspaced from the perforations a distance that is sufficient to permit therecipient to grip the tear strip for removal to open the top of theenvelope. In a preferred embodiment, the area between the flap fold lineand perforation lines includes a layer of adhesive joining the opposingsides of the tear strip. The adhesive can be applied as a liquid, ahot-melt composition, or as a separate laminate of polymeric materialthat is activated by heat, ultrasound, or the like, such materials andmethods being well known in the art. The adhesive provides additionalstrength to the tear strip and facilitates the removal of the tear stripcleanly. The adhesive also constitutes a barrier to the undesiredmovement of the envelope's enclosure(s) into the tear strip area.

[0008] In the manufacture of the envelope of the invention, the firstand second lines of perforations are formed simultaneously, as bypassing the partially formed web, or sheet forming the envelope blankthrough a perforating wheel to provide conventional or slitperforations. In the manufacture of the envelope of this embodiment, theadhesive is also applied prior to the folding of the extended flap panelin the area that lies between the first and second lines ofperforations.

[0009] The free end of the extended sealing flap panel and is providedwith adhesive along its edge for sealing the envelope for mailing afterthe flap is closed over the open top of the pocket.

[0010] The front address panel is provided with a mailing addressdisplay area which can be a window, with or without a transparent cover.The manufacture of window envelopes is well known in the art.

[0011] A second sealing flap is joined along a second fold line to thetop edge of the rear panel is initially folded against the rear paneleither inside the pocket or on the exterior surface of the rear panelfor the first use of the envelope. After the sealed envelope is openedby the first recipient's removal of the tear strip, the second sealingflap is either withdrawn from the pocket or moved from its exteriorposition for folding over and onto the front address panel. The secondflap is also provided with securing means, such as remoistenableadhesive, for closing the open top and sealing the envelope for thesecond mailing.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the address panel is provided withpostage indicia, which can include a bulk mailing permit and,optionally, has a first return address display area adjacent the topedge of the front panel. The upper right hand corner of the addresspanel is reserved for application of postage stamps or other postageindicia in accordance with government postal service requirements.

[0013] In a first preferred embodiment, the second sealing flap isprinted with a return address display area and has an area for receivingpostage or, most preferably, is provided with preprinted return postagepermit indicia for postage paid by the originating party. In thisembodiment, the second flap covers the originating postage indicia andreturn address, and, optionally, the original address display area, thesecond flap and has the second mailing address preprinted on the flap.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the front panel includes asecond return address display area located adjacent the bottom edge ofthe address panel for use by the second sender and a corresponding areafor the second sender to apply postage. In this embodiment the secondsealing flap is sized to cover the first return address and originatingpostage area when the second sealing flap is folded over and sealed tothe front panel.

[0015] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a single-use envelopeof otherwise conventional construction is provided with a tear stripalong one of the four edges, formed as described above, to provide forthe rapid and easy-opening of the envelope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front of a cut blank for an envelopeconstructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear of the cut blank shown in FIG.1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the partially formed envelope preparedfrom the blank of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3showing one preferred embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;showing another preferred embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4B at afurther stage in its manufacture;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front of a partially-opened sealedenvelope constructed from the blank of FIG. 5;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sealed envelope constructed from theblank of FIG. 1 ready for a second mailing;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the rear of a cut blank for an envelopeconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0026]FIG. 9A is a plan view of the front of a sealed envelope accordingto another embodiment of the present invention ready for the firstmailing;

[0027]FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 9B ofFIG. 9A;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the front of the envelope shown in FIG.9 ready for a second mailing;

[0029]FIG. 11 is a plan view of an envelope ready for the first mailingin accordance with another embodiment of the invention,

[0030]FIG. 12 is a plan view of the envelope of FIG. 11 ready for thesecond mailing;

[0031]FIG. 13 is a plan view of an envelope ready for the first mailingin accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0032]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the envelope of FIG. 13 ready for thesecond mailing;

[0033]FIG. 15 is a plan view of an envelope ready for the first mailingin accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0034]FIG. 16 is a plan view of the envelope of FIG. 15 ready for thesecond mailing;

[0035]FIG. 17 is a plan view of an envelope ready for the first mailingin accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 18 is a plan view of the envelope of FIG. 17 ready for thesecond mailing;

[0037]FIG. 19 is a plan view of an envelope ready for the first mailingin accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0038]FIG. 20 is a plan view of the envelope of FIG. 19 ready for thesecond mailing;

[0039]FIG. 21 is a plan view of the interior of a cut blank for anenvelope in accordance with another preferred embodiment of theinvention;

[0040]FIG. 22 is a plan view of the interior of a cut blank inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0041]FIG. 23 is a plan view of the interior of a cut blank inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0042]FIG. 24 is a plan view of the exterior of the blank of FIG. 23;

[0043]FIG. 25 is a plan view of the rear of a finished envelope producedfrom the blank of FIGS. 23 and 24; and

[0044]FIG. 26 is a plan view of the front of a finished envelopeproduced from the blank of FIG. 22.

[0045]FIG. 27 is a plan view of the front of a finished envelopeproduced from the blank of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] A pre-cut blank 1 used to construct an envelope 10 according tothe present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As used herein, theletter “A” will refer to the exterior face and the letter “B” will referto the interior face of the cut blank 1. The cut blank 1 is typicallyformed from a web or larger sheet of suitable envelope grade material inaccordance with methods wellknown in the art. The blank includes a frontor address panel 12 and a rear panel 14. Panels 12 and 14 are integrallyjoined along intermediate fold line 16. The panels 12 and 14 are of asimilar size and generally rectangular in shape.

[0047] An extended flap panel 39 is joined to the top edge of frontpanel 12 along a first weakened parting line 42, which in a preferredembodiment is a line of perforations, being either slit or holeperforations. Panel 39 is also provided with transverse flap fold line41 and a second weakened parting line of perforations 46, both of whichare parallel to first perforation line 42, the area between theperforation lines 41 and 42 defining tear strip 40. The free end 44 ofextended flap panel 39 is provided with adhesive 48 for sealing theenvelope.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of side sealing panels 18having an adhesive area 20 on face 18A are integrally joined to thelateral edges of address panel 14 along fold lines 22. As will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, side sealing panels 18 canbe joined to panel 12, and can be sealed to the interior or exterior ofthe adjacent panel. In the mass production of direct mail articles, theenvelope of the invention can be produced without side sealing panels 18by simply applying adhesive 20 to the edges of the interior of either ofpanels 12 or 14.

[0049] As further shown in FIG. 1, a second return flap 26 is integrallyjoined to rear panel 14 along second fold line 28 and as shown in FIG.2, includes an adhesive area 30.

[0050] In the manufacture of the envelope of the invention, adhesive 20is applied to side flap sealing panels 18B and panels 18 are foldedinwardly along lines 22. The blank 1 is folded along line 16 to placerear panel 14 on front panel 12 to form the envelope pocket. A view ofthe front of the envelope at this stage of manufacture is shown in FIG.3.

[0051] A remoistenable adhesive 48 and preferably hot melt adhesive 43is applied to extended flap 39. Extended flap 39 is folded along line 41and passed through perforating apparatus, e.g., a perforating wheel, tosimultaneously form lines of perforations 42 and 46, and, optionally,the two opposing faces of tear strip are bonded together to provideadditional strength and to facilitate the clean removal of the tearstrip by the recipient.

[0052] In this embodiment, address panel 12 is provided with an addressdisplay window which is either left open or closed by a transparentpanel (not shown). As also shown in FIG. 1, front panel 12A is providedwith a return address area 52 and a corresponding original postage area54. In one embodiment, address panel 12A is provided with a secondreturn address area 56 and a corresponding second stamp area 58.

[0053] As shown in cross-sectional views 4A and 4B, the second flap 26can be folded into position inside the envelope pocket or flat againstthe exterior of rear panel 14A.

[0054] The cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 shows the envelope 10 ready tomail with enclosure 2 in the envelope pocket following insertion throughthe open top. When the enclosure 2 is inserted into envelope 10, the“TO” address is properly positioned in the display panel 50 of thewindow envelope. The envelope 10 is now ready for mailing.

[0055] To open the envelope 10, the tear strip 40 is removed along theperforation lines 42 and 46 as shown in FIG. 6. The tear strip 40,having been folded along fold line 41 and preferably reinforced by thebonding of adhesive areas 43 and 45, provides a convenient and easy wayto remove the tear strip for opening the envelope. Upon removal of thetear strip 40, the entire top of the envelope pocket is open across thefull width of the envelope and the contents of the envelope can beeasily inspected and removed.

[0056] In order to re-use the envelope of this embodiment, the followingsteps are taken:

[0057] (a) If materials are to be returned to the sender, the recipientinserts materials into the open envelope, again with the proper “TO”address properly positioned in the display window 50.

[0058] (b) The second flap panel 26 is then moved from its positionadjacent rear panel 14 and folded along line 28 over and onto addresspanel 12A, as shown in FIG. 7. The distance between fold line 28 and thedistal or free end of return flap panel 26 is predetermined to have alength sufficient to cover the postage area at 54 and the return addressarea 52 for the second use.

[0059] (c) The adhesive 30 is then used to seal the envelope 10 withreturn flap face 26B adhesively secured to address panel face 12A.

[0060] (d) The recipient completes the return address at the addressarea 56 and places the proper postage at area 58. Alternatively, theoriginal sender can provide the recipient's return address bycomputer-directed printing means at the time that the envelope blank andits enclosures are printed, die-cut and assembled. Return postagemailing indicia 58 can also be preprinted on return flap 26 by theoriginator.

[0061]FIG. 7 shows sealed envelope 10 ready for the second mailing bythe recipient as preaddressed and postage paid by the original sender.

[0062]FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in whichthe blank 1′ is laid out to provide a second tear strip 40′ defined byperforation lines 42′ and 46′ and intermediate fold line 41′. The secondtear strip 40′ is removed by the second recipient to open the envelopepocket and thereby gain access to its enclosures. Assembly of thisembodiment is similar to that described above, and as will be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art, the application of adhesive to tearstrips 40 and 40′ is desirably accomplished simultaneously prior tofolding of the blank 1′. Likewise, the perforation of the folded tearstrips along lines 42, 46 and 42′, 46′ is preferably accomplishedsimultaneously by a pair of appropriately spaced perforation wheels onautomated equipment.

[0063]FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a further embodiment of the inventionready for use in the second mailing where the second sealing flap isextended to cover the original mailing address and is preprinted withthe second mailing address, mailing indicia and the original recipient'sreturn address. In this embodiment, the second flap 26 can be providedwith one or more transverse folds to make it more compact and easier towithdraw from the envelope pocket. In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 9A and 9B, the envelope is ready for the first mailing and the tearstrip 40 extends across the top of the sealed envelope above the foldline 28 between the rear panel 14 and the second flap 26, the flap beingshown accordion folded in position during mailing. As shown in FIG. 10,when second flap 26 is extended for the second mailing and sealed inposition on panel 12, it completely covers the first mailing address,and preferably is provided with the second recipient's mailing address,postage and first recipient's return address area, which can be blank orcompleted during the original printing.

[0064] FIGS. 11-20 illustrate further embodiments of envelopes ofvarying formats constructed in accordance with the invention. Additionalvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art basedon the descriptions provided. In each of FIGS. 11-18, the envelopes aredepicted with window mailing address display areas, but it will beunderstood that printed addresses can be employed. The elements 12A and14A correspond to those used above in describing FIGS. 1-7. Flapelements shown in dotted lines depict the flap positioned on the reverseside of the envelope. Dashed lines represent perforations.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 11, the first address display area ispositioned on rear panel 14 and the first sealing flap is provided withfirst return mailing address and postage indicia, the first sealing flapbeing removable by the recipient. As illustrated, the sealing flap isprovided with weakened parting line 140, i.e., perforations, parallel tothe free edge of the first sealing flap. After removal of the tearstrip, the first recipient removes the upper portion of the sealing flapto expose the second return address area and postage indicia printed onpanel 14A.

[0066] Alternatively, a releasable adhesive or small adhesive spots canbe employed on first sealing flap, so that the entire portion of theremaining flap can be removed following removal of the tear strip toopen the envelope. FIG. 12 shows the envelope panel 14A of FIG. 11 readyfor the second mailing.

[0067]FIG. 13 illustrates the embodiment where the front panel 12A isarranged for the first mailing and employs a window for the mailingaddress display.

[0068]FIG. 14 illustrates the reusable envelope embodiment of FIG. 13following removal of the tear strip and placement of the second sealingflap in position on the front panel above the window. In thisembodiment, the second return address and postal indicia are preprintedon the second sealing flap and cover those elements as they appeared inFIG. 13.

[0069] The embodiment of FIG. 15 illustrates the first mailing addressdisplay area on the rear panel with the first return address and postalindicia on the first sealing flap; following removal of the tear stripand positioning of the second sealing flap with postage and returnaddress indicia on front panel 12A, as shown in FIG. 16, the envelope isready for its second mailing.

[0070]FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a further embodiment where an envelopeconstructed in accordance with the invention. The envelope is preprintedwith return address and postage indicia on front panel 12A as shown inFIG. 17 for the first mailing. Following removal of the tear strip, thesecond sealing flap (shown in dotted lines) is sealed in place for thesecond mailing, and as shown in FIG. 18, the rear panel is provided witha return address area and postage indicia.

[0071] In the embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20, both the first sealing flapand second sealing flap are large enough to be provided with therespective mailing address display areas, as well as the return addressand postal indicia. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the first mailing flapalso includes a line of perforations to permit removal of the upperportion of the flap following separation of the tear strip from theenvelope. As shown in FIG. 20, following removal of the first sealingflap, the second sealing flap is extended into position over theenvelope front panel, and being preprinted with the required indicia, isready for mailing.

[0072] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.21-27. In this embodiment, an envelope is constructed from a blank of100 envelope grade material as shown in FIG. 21 and has a front panel102 and a rear panel 104 joined to panel 102 along first fold line 106.Front panel 102 is further provided with a perforation line 108 which ispositioned parallel with fold line 106 and spaced apart therefrom. Rearpanel 104 is provided with a perforation line 110 which is positionedparallel to fold line 106 and spaced apart therefrom. An adhesive 112 isprovided on panel 102 between fold line 106 and perforation line 108. Anadhesive area 114 is provided between fold line 106 and perforation line110 as shown in FIG. 21. The area between perforation lines 108 and 110defines a tear strip 115. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21,adhesive 112 is also applied along the interior face of either of panels102 or 104 prior to folding along line 106. The adhesive is maintainedwithin the bounds of transverse lines 108 and 110 which correspond tosubsequently provided perforation lines as will be described in moredetail below.

[0073] A conventional sealing flap 116 is joined to front panel 102along second fold line 118. Sealing flap 116 is provided with are-moistenable adhesive material 120 on its surface facing rear panel104 in the folded position. The exterior of front panel 102 includes aconventional address area 124 and a stamp area 126. The blank isoptionally provided with side sealing flaps 130, one face of which isprovided with adhesive.

[0074] To construct the envelope, side flaps 130 are provided withadhesive and folded inwardly; rear panel 104 is folded along first foldline 106 into superposed position on front panel 102 which also makessealing contact with flaps 130. Sealing flap 116 is adapted for foldingdownwardly on rear panel 104. The adhesive areas 112 and 114 are, in apreferred embodiment, adhesively joined with liquid glue, hot melt orother form of adhesive. The application of adhesive along this narrow,lower band of the envelope serves to strengthen the tear strip 115 andto insure that the lower tear strip portion can be more easily removedalong the parting line of perforations. The completed envelope 100 isshown in FIG. 27 and is similar in appearance to that shown ready formailing in FIG. 2G. To open envelope 100 the tear strip 115 is tornalong perforation lines 108 and 110.

[0075] In the production of direct mail articles in accordance with theinvention, side flaps 130 can be eliminated and the opposing side edgesof panels 102, 104 can be joined by adhesive in order to simplifyproduction.

[0076] In an alternative preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 22and 26, a series of paper crimps are incorporated mechanically into thetear strip after folding along line 106. As used herein, the term“crimping” or “crimps” means an indentation or partial perorationapplied to mate or temporarily join a pair of paper panels. The crimpingis accomplished by a crimping wheel or similar device. The crimping ispositioned adjacent to, or along the same transverse line as theperforations. The formation of the crimps resists a laterally appliedforce. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, aplurality of spaced crimps will prevent the enclosures placed or formedin the envelope on one side of this transverse crimp line from movinginto the adjacent tear strip portion of the envelope. With reference toFIG. 22, it will also be understood that the crimp areas 140 areindicated in the extended blank for purposes of illustration only, sincethe crimps can only be completed after the paper has been folded intosuperimposed position. Thus, the crimping is completed after adhesive isoptionally applied in the area defining the tear strip 115 and the flapis folded to bond the sides together and the superposed sides arepressed between the opposing faces of the crimping apparatus.

[0077] In the production of the envelopes shown in FIGS. 21-27, it isalso preferable to form the perforations after the envelope front andrear panels are glued and folded in superimposed position so that theperforations are aligned to thereby insure an even and clean tear line.

[0078] A further embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 23-25 where theeasy-open tear strip is positioned along one side of the envelope. Withreference to FIG. 23, the rear panel is provided with tear strip definedby parting lines 108 and 110 positioned between a lateral edge and sidesealing flap 130, the tear strip being bisected by fold line 106 intosections 132 and 134. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 23, a pluralityof adhesive areas 121 are provided on the interior surface of tear strip115 to join sections 132 and 134 after folding along line 106. Withreference to FIG. 24, the exterior of the blank 101 shows adhesive 120applied to the edges of side sealing flaps 130, and the front of theenvelope provided with the conventional mailing indicia. It is to benoted from FIGS. 23 and 24 that the tear strip 115 extends laterallyfrom the edge of the front and rear envelope panels, and as best shownin FIG. 25, from the body of the completed envelope, including thefolded top sealing flap 116.

[0079] The manufacture of this embodiment is similar to those describedpreviously, with the exception that the side sealing flap 130 adjacenttear strip is folded into position at the same time sealing flapsections are folded along line 106 to bond the interior faces togetherto form the reinforced tear strip 115. The front panel 102 is thenfolded down to contact the adhesive areas 120 on folded side sealingflaps 130 to form the envelope pocket. The envelope is then passedthrough perforations, means to form perforation lines 108, 110.

[0080] As noted in the embodiment described above, the adhesive areas121, even though applied in a non-continuous manner, comprise a barrierto the undesired movement of the envelope enclosure(s) into the regionof the tear strips.

[0081] In a further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention(not illustrated) the tear strip is provided with a row crimpsimmediately adjacent perforation lines 108, 110. In this embodiment, theline of crimps define a barrier to the movement of the enclosures in theenvelope into the tear strip area defined by the perforations, therebyprecluding any damage to the enclosures when the tear strip is removedby the recipient, and the adhesive areas 112 and 114 can be optionallyeliminated. Thus, it would be understood by those familiar with the art,the crimps can be incorporated and made coincident with the perforationline. Although optional, it is also desirable in this embodiment toinclude reinforcing adhesive, e.g., hot melt adhesive, along theinterior surfaces to bond the opposing sides of the tear strip to addadditional strength and thereby facilitate its clean removal.

[0082] While the fundamental novel features of the invention have beenshown and described, it should be understood that various substitutions,modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art,without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Accordingly, all such modifications or variations are included in thescope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.

I claim:
 1. A reusable envelope comprising: a front panel and a rearpanel each being generally rectangular and similar in size and joinedalong a first transverse fold line; the front panel and rear panel beingjoined along their lateral edges to form an envelope pocket having anopen top; a first extended sealing flap joined to the top edge of thefront panel along a first weakened tear line running parallel to the topedge of the front panel and the flap having a first adhesive areaproximate its free end for sealing the envelope for a first mailing; thefirst extended sealing flap having a second weakened tear line parallelto the first tear line and spaced apart therefrom, the area between thefirst and second tear lines defining a tear strip; the first extendedsealing flap further having a flap fold line midway between the firstand second tear lines, the sealing flap being folded in superposedposition to align the tear lines and position the first adhesive area onthe envelope rear panel; a second sealing flap joined along a secondfold line to the top edge of the rear panel and folded in a firstposition against the rear panel and covered by the first sealing flapduring the first mailing; the second sealing flap having sealing meansproximate its free end for sealing the envelope when the second sealingflap is folded over and onto the front panel in a second position for asecond mailing.
 2. The envelope of claim 1 were at least the front panelincludes a mailing address display area and a first postage area locatedadjacent the top edge of the address panel for receiving postage indiciaapplied by the first sender.
 3. The envelope of claim 2 where the secondsealing flap covers the first postage area when the second sealing flapis folded over and sealed to the address panel.
 4. The envelope of claim3 where the second sealing flap is preprinted with a return address areaand postage indicia.
 5. The envelope of claim 1 where the first tearline defines the top edge of the front panel.
 6. The envelope of claim 1where the interior surfaces comprising the tear strip are adhesivelybonded together.
 7. The envelope of claim 1 where the weakened tearlines are formed by perforations.
 8. The envelope of claim 7 where theperforations are slit perforations.
 9. The envelope of claim 1 where thefirst and second lines of perforation are formed simultaneously afterfolding the extended flap along the flap fold line.
 10. The envelope ofclaim 1 where the mailing address display area is a window.
 11. Theenvelope of claim 2 where the rear panel includes a mailing addressdisplay area.
 12. The envelope of claim 11 where the rear panel mailingaddress display area comprises a window.
 13. The envelope of claim 1which further comprises side sealing flaps for joining the lateral edgesof the front and rear panels.
 14. The envelope of claim 1 where themailing address display area comprises first and second mailing addressdisplay areas and the second sealing flap covers the first mailingaddress display area when sealed for the second mailing.
 15. Theenvelope of claim 14 where the second mailing address display area is onthe second sealing flap.
 16. The envelope of claim 1 where the secondsealing flap is positioned inside the envelope pocket.
 17. The envelopeof claim 1 where the second sealing flap is accordion folded against theexterior surface of the rear panel.
 18. The envelope of claim 1 wherethe adhesive area of the first sealing flap is provided with areleasable adhesive, whereby after the tear strip is removed from theenvelope, the remaining portion of the sealing flap can be removed fromthe envelope.
 19. The envelope of claim 1 where the adhesive area of thefirst sealing flap is bounded by a lateral weakened parting lineextending across the flap parallel to the free edge of the flap, wherebyafter the tear strip is removed from the envelope, the portion of thefirst sealing flap adjacent the adhesive area can be removed byseparation along the weakened parting line.
 20. The envelope of claim 17where the envelope panel contacted by the first sealing flap ispreprinted with return mailing address and postage indicia that iscovered when the first sealing flap is sealed for the first mailing. 21.The envelope of claim 1 where the first and second sealing flaps arepreprinted with return address areas and postage indicia.
 22. Theenvelope of claim 21 where the first and second sealing flaps arepreprinted with the first and second mailing addresses.
 23. The envelopeof claim 1 where the front and rear panels are preprinted with a returnaddress area and postage indicia.
 24. A mailing envelope comprising afront panel and a rear panel joined along three edges to form a pocketfor receiving enclosures to be mailed and a sealing flap for closing thepocket joined to the front panel along a fold line, the envelope havinga line of perforations extending parallel to one of the joined edges andpassing through the front and rear panels to define an opening tearstrip, the line of perforations displaced inwardly from the adjacentedge of the envelope a distance that is sufficient to permit therecipient of the envelope to grip the tear strip for removal, theenvelope further comprising internal barrier means coincident with orproximate to the line of perforations, said barrier means preventingmovement of enclosures in the envelope pocket beyond the line ofperforations into the tear strip area during transmittal of the sealedenvelope, whereby the tear strip can be removed by the recipient withoutdamaging the enclosures in the envelope pocket.
 25. The envelope ofclaim 24 where the barrier means is adhesive joining the opposing facesof the front panel and the rear panel forming the tear strip.
 26. Theenvelope of claim 25 where the adhesive is coextensive with the line ofperforations that defines the tear strip.
 27. The envelope of claim 26where the adhesive extends the entire width of the tear strip from theline of perforations to the adjacent edge of the envelope.
 28. Theenvelope of claim 25 where the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.
 29. Theenvelope of claim 24 where the barrier means is a plurality of crimpsextending through the front and rear panels along a line that iscoincident with the line of perforations.
 30. The envelope of claim 24where the barrier means is a plurality of crimps extending through thefront and rear panels along a line that is parallel to and displacedfrom the line of perforations away from the tear strip.
 31. The envelopeof claim 24 where the line of perforations defining the tear strip isparallel to the edge of the envelope opposite the sealing flap.
 32. Theenvelope of claim 24 where individual perforations forming the lines ofperforations on the front and rear panels are aligned, whereby theremoval of the tear strip by the recipient is facilitated.
 33. Theenvelope of claim 32 where the perforations are formed simultaneouslywhen the front and rear panels are folded in superposed relation. 34.The envelope of claim 32 where the perforations are slit perforations.35. An improved mailing envelope having a front panel joined to a rearpanel along three edges to form an open envelope pocket and a sealingflap joined along a fold line to the front panel along the fourth edge,a tear strip defined by a line of perforations displaced from andparallel to one edge of the front panel, said perforations extendingthrough the front panel and either the rear panel or the flap, theimprovement comprising internal barrier means coincident with orproximate to the line of perforations, said barrier means preventing themovement of an enclosure placed in the envelope pocket into the area ofthe tear strip formed in the front and rear panel or flap.
 36. Theenvelope of claim 35 where the barrier means is a layer of adhesiveextends between the front panel and rear panel or flap that form theline of perforations toward the adjacent edge of the envelope.
 37. Theenvelope of claim 35 where the line of perforations is parallel to theedge of the envelope opposite the sealing flap.
 38. The envelope ofclaim 35 which further comprises side sealing flaps joining opposingedges of the front and rear panels.